Named after the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD’s) first president, Dame Adeline Genée, and known simply as ‘the Genée’, it’s one of the world’s most prestigious ballet competitions, attracting the finest young dancers trained in the syllabus, from around the globe.

Winners have gone on to work for some of the most well-known international ballet companies such as The Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and the English National Ballet.

Learning from a Prima Ballerina

The four dancers will prepare for the competition with WAAPA Ballet Lecturer Diana de Vos OAM.

This is the first time that a WAAPA student has been selected for the Genée and Miss de Vos said that the competition could really advance their careers.

“Three international artistic directors from the Royal Ballet will be judging and the opportunity to participate in this huge competition could open some extraordinary doors.

“It’s also a first-class opportunity to get to work with renowned choreographers and teachers for five days before performing,” Miss de Vos said.

All four students have received high distinctions in Advanced 2 RAD exams. Evelyn Roberts and Kristin Barwick have also been awarded the Solo Seal, which is the final exam in RAD.

But the dedication and hard work they’ve already put in isn’t about to stop. They’ll be working six days a week in preparation for the Genée on contemporary solos which have been choreographed by WAAPA Classical Coordinator Kim McCarthy, Jayne Smeulders and Kristin Barwick.

“They will have their WAAPA classes during the week and then on Saturday I will work with them on their variations, ” Miss de Vos said.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the exceptional standard and what our very capable dancers can come up with,” she said.

All four dancers will also perform in The Rehearsal, a divertissement piece inspired by three extraordinary men: Degas, Tchaikovski and Cecchetti each a master in their field and intrinsically linked by their love, or fascination of dance. The Rehearsal is part of the WAAPA season of Verge from Saturday, 12 – Saturday, 19 November.